[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE CAREER OF JOSEPH ESKENAZI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2023

  Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Mr. Joseph Eskenazi, a 
decorated United States Army veteran living in California's 36th 
Congressional District who was honored at the National World War II 
Museum in New Orleans for his service. As the Nation's oldest living 
U.S. Pearl Harbor survivor, Joseph celebrated his 105th birthday on 
January 30, 2023.
  Joseph Eskenazi was born on January 30, 1918, in New York. At the age 
of 7, Joseph and his family moved to Puebla, Mexico. Though he spent 
many of his formative years in Puebla, Mr. Eskenazi returned to New 
York in 1936 and he enlisted in the Army in 1938. In 1941, Private 
First Class Eskenazi was stationed at the Schofield Barracks as a 
member of Company C of the 804th Engineers. On the morning of December 
7, 1941, Joseph witnessed the bombing on Pearl Harbor and lost a friend 
as a Japanese plane strafed their barracks. When his captain in the 
804th Engineers Battalion sought volunteers to help clear debris, 
Joseph raised his hand without hesitation and drove a bulldozer, while 
avoiding gun fire, to clear the railroad tracks to allow other soldiers 
to move equipment and repair damage to the Hickam Airfield.
  After the war, Joseph traveled back to Mexico, where he met his wife, 
Victoria Faradji. They moved to Redondo Beach. California, and Joseph 
worked at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Joseph assisted with 
the design of the runways at LAX. Throughout this time and after 
retirement, Joseph and Victoria followed their passion for travel, 
sharing many trips abroad together. They were happily married for 74 
years.
  At the age of 95, Joseph's military history was recognized, and he 
was invited to participate in local Veterans and Memorial Day events. 
With the assistance of the Gary Sinise Foundation's Soaring Valor 
Program, Joseph made the train ride from Los Angeles to the National 
World War II Museum in New Orleans. Surrounded by family and local 
residents, Joseph and eight other veterans were celebrated and honored 
in a ceremony for their service in World War II. Joseph's oral history 
of his service was added to the National World War II Museum's 
archives.
  I want to thank and recognize Joseph for his years in the service to 
our Nation, and to communities in Southern California. His heroic 
actions during World War II and the life of service he has lived is an 
inspiration to our country.

                          ____________________